| Argentinian wines won 28 medals in the Japan Wine Challenge |
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| miércoles, 17 septiembre 2008 | ||||||||
 Japan Wine Challenge The eleventh edition of the Japan Wine Challenge -the contest whose reputation has been growing year after year in Asia- was carried out in the Sheraton Miyako hotel in Tokyo. Argentina came back with 28 medals, although Chile is still at the forefront of award-earning. The neighboring country won a Trophy, 12 gold medals, 28 silver medals and 54 bronze medals. Nevertheless, it is importance to bear in mind that Chile always submits more samples than Argentina, hence the huge gap. Around 1,700 wine were submitted to be tasted by an outstanding international jury headed by president Steven Spurrier (editor of Decanter magazine) and vice-president Lynne Sherriff MW (Vice-president of the Institute of Masters of Wine). The judges granted a total of 67 gold medals, 223 silver medals, 582 bronze medals and 427 seals of approval. Within these awards, Argentina earned a gold medal, four silver medals, thirteen bronze medals and ten seals of approval. For Argentina, the Japanese market is of great significance. Asian wine consumption has enormously increased in the past decades. This is mainly due to the speed and diversification of changes in consumption habits in the East as a result of the significant growth of the population's purchasing power, the cultural exchanges and globalization and the fact that wines are becoming part of the regular diet in Asian countries. This fosters great expectations for Argentinian wines. The totality of wines was tasted by the judges, as well as by the president and co-president in order to guarantee that all wines are accurately evaluated. To achieve a gold medal, a wine must receive a score of at least 18.5 points over 20. To achieve a silver medal, a wine must receive a score between 17 and 28.4. To achieve a bronze medal, a wine must receive a score between 16.9 and 15.5. In the case of the seals of approval, it seeks to acknowledge the regional style of a wine, as well as its "drinkability", and wines that receive it must score between 14.5 and 15.4 points. In addition, the contest grants different trophies that are decided after the gold classification. These awards include: Best New World White and Red Wines, Best Old World Red and White Wines, Best Champagne/Sparkling Wine, Best Sweet Wine, Best Value Wine and Best Biodynamic/Organic Wine, and Best Discovery Wine. Awarded Argentinian Wines The only Argentinian wine that earned a gold medal and was hence acknowledged as the best Argentinian wine was Salentein Numina 2004 of bodega Salentein. This wine is sold at $120. It is the first blend offered by Salentein and highlights the maximum qualities of each harvest's Malbec and Merlot grapes. The 2004 vintage is made up of 70% Malbec and 30% Merlot. "We are proud to have a working team that has enabled this great achievement which positions us once again among the country's and the world's most renowned premium wine producers," Rafael Calderón, General Manager of Salentein Family of Wines, remarked. Other four wines were awarded silver medals: Colome Torrontés 2007, two wines of Bodega Trapiche (Broquel 2006 and Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec 2006), and Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2006. Mónica Caamaño, Marketing Manager of Trivento, commented about the significance of the Asian market, which "is, at large, a block that arouses great expectation; on the one hand, as the result of the economic growth of countries like China, which implies the entry of new consumers to the wine world; on the other, as countries like Japan, with more educated markets with higher purchasing power that enable the development of premium wine brands." With regard to the award, she said that "receiving these medals is like having a letter of introduction for wines, but the significance of this letter depends on who signs it. The JWCA is a prestigious contest worldwide and hence implies acknowledgement in Japan and also in Asia at large." With regard to bronze medals, Argentina gathered thirteen of them. The awarded wines were Colome Amalaya 2007, Santa Ana Malbec Reserve 2006, Santa Ana Torrontes 2008, Alfa Crux Blend 2002, Alfa Crux Malbec 2006, B-Crux Blend 2003, Michel Torino Cuma Organic Torrontes 2008, Toso Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Callia Grand 2005, Callia Magna Shiraz 2007, Finca el Portillo Malbec 2007, Trapiche Medalla 2005, and Trapiche Oak Cask Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. Finally, the seals of approval, which seek to recognize the regional style of a wine and its drinkability, went to Colome Malbec Estate 2006, Santa Ana Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Santa Ana Malbec 2007, Santa Ana Malbec Rose 2008, Finca el Portillo Chardonnay 2008, Paso el Portillo Selected Red 2007, Paso el Portillo Selected White 2008, Salentein Reserve Malbec 2006, Trivento Reserve Malbec 2007 and Yacochuya 2003 Vintners Inc.
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